Riley Old Home Society

04/06/2026

Happy Easter!

03/20/2026

Hello Spring!!

03/15/2026

Found several of these great photos online in the 8th Airforce Historical Society from a descendant of Leon Opper who left Le Havre, France on the SS James Whitcomb Riley in 1945. Opper is in the 6th photo on the left.

The last two images are of the brass hullplate from the Riley, and a photo of the entire Riley ship.

The SS James Whitcomb Riley was a Liberty Ship built in 1942 and designed to transport goods and men back and forth to the war front. It was one of over 3 000 Liberty Ships built during WW II, and they were always named after famous Americans. It is rare that we find pictures from those who spent time on the ship itself. So these are really great!!

The Riley survived the war and was sold for scrap in 1971.

03/09/2026

State Historical Marker to be erected in Greenfield to honor George Knox!

A historical marker will soon be installed in downtown Greenfield to honor George Knox, a prominent Black businessman whose legacy has shaped Hancock County and the state of Indiana.

03/09/2026

A treasure was donated to the Wren's Nest, the home of Joel Chandler Harris, author of Uncle Remus Brer Rabbit Stories. Harris and our Hoosier Poet, James Whitcomb Riley were good friends.

The donation was some of Riley's books, which were inscribed by Riley to Mildred Harris, Joel's daughter.

Today on our front porch a mysterious box appeared. When opened, inside were some antique books from the very early 1900s inscribed to Mildred Harris (one of the Harris daughters) by James Whitcomb Riley, a friend of the Harris family. They were lovingly sent to us as a gift by Missy Whitmire, great-granddaughter of Joel Chandler Harris. This is one of the many reasons working for the Nest is so fun. You never know what ancient treasures will make their way to the doorstep. Thank you Missy! And look at that handwriting...

03/09/2026

Don't forget to enter your poem!

Don't forget to enter your poem for our 250th Poetry Contest! The deadline to enter is March 20th. It is open to all ages. To enter, use the link below!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5EQIE1wKfjeTMFno31uJwcO-528g_mu0O88szR9lCSV46RQ/viewform?usp=header

Our rules can be found here on our website: https://parksingreenfield.com/riley-home/

03/09/2026

Riley Lecture on Elva May Riley March 20, 2026

Come and join us on March 20th from 7-8pm for "Maymie" Elva May Riley: The Rock of the Riley Family at Lizabuth Ann's Kitchen. (It was originally scheduled for March 13th, but had to be rescheduled due to a conflict.)

Learn about who Elva May was, how she supported her brother James Whitcomb Riley and his poetry, and what made her a woman to be remembered in her own right. We look forward to having you join us!

02/23/2026

Riley Festival is looking for Queen candidates!

02/23/2026

James Whitcomb Riley The Teenage Years!

Ever wonder what someone famous was like when they were younger, before they became well known? Come and join us on Feb. 27th from 7-8pm to learn more about James Whitcomb Riley: The Teenage Years. This is a part of our lecture series and will be held in Lizabuth Ann's Kitchen at 244 W. Main Street, Greenfield, Indiana 46140. It is a free event. To learn more, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or at 317-462-8539 for more information.

02/11/2026

Riley meets Booker T. Washington

Today's short Black History post:

The Daily Reporter 10 Aug 1914 reporting on James Whitcomb Riley and Booker T. Washington at the Chautauqua:

RILEY MEETS AND GREETS WASHINGTON
Great Negro Educator and Noted Hoosier Poet Spent Ten Minutes Together Here Sunday
A number of people witnessed the notable meeting here Sunday afternoon of James Whitcomb Riley, the noted Hoosier poet, and Booker T. Washington, the great negro educator, at the Chautauque grounds.
Mr. Riley came over to call on his sister-in-law, Mrs. Julia Riley, and drove up to the Chautauqua grounds upon hearing that Mr. Washington was to lecture there. Mr. Washington was called out to the gate to meet Mr. Riley. Mr. Washington recalled one of Mr. Riley’s poems on the old colored man, and Mr. Riley remembered and recited some of the lines. These two noted men of different races spent a pleasant ten minutes and when Mr. Washington was called to the treasurer’s tent to receive the pay for his lecture, he said he felt like he had been already well paid in meeting Mr. Riley.
For those unfamiliar with a "Chautauqua", these were rural summer assemblies combining education, recreation, and religion. These gatherings featured noted lecturers, concerts, and, by the 1890s, drew thousands to rural locations nationwide.

02/11/2026

In Carmel, February 19th

Thu. Feb. 19, 2026 | The Tarkington | Carmel, IN